With all the recent findings of the possible side effects of parabens and laurel sulfates in our personal beauty products, many natural health companies have heard the demands of the educated public and have created cleaner than ever personal products.

With everything from deodorants, shampoos and even toothpastes that are preservative-free and have naturally derived ingredients, it’s not hard to outfit yourself with all of your beauty needs in cleaner-than-clean products these days.

My favourite line of shampoo is by a company called Prairie Naturals. They have a complete line of fully biodegradable shampoos and conditioners designed for all types of hair. Whether you have colour-treated hair or suffer from dandruff they have a special formula just for you. I also use a unique little rock called the deodorant crystal, which is the cleanest product on the market as it contains no other ingredient except itself. It gives 24-hour protection, is non-staining to clothes and has no scent.

You’ll also find great facial cleansing lines that are preservative-free, contain no petroleum products, not tested on animals and really do help reverse the signs of aging. Chock full of natural emollients and antioxidants, they definitely are a treat to use.

Our skin absorbs whatever we put on it so why would you want to bathe in chemicals and artificial ingredients. We apply lipstick and mascara and other cosmetics daily; what are the ingredients in these products? Gabrielle is a cosmetic line that is so clean you can eat the ingredients. Gentle and safe to use, it is the only cosmetic line on the market that can boast about never having had an adverse reaction from a customer.

But don’t stop there. Cleaning supplies are found on health food store shelves that are competitively strong and are biodegradable and all natural. No noxious fumes or poisonous residues are what you will get by using a clean product such as these.

Seventh Generation is a company with a great reputation with products I use every day in my home. They have adopted a wonderful quote from The Great Law of The Iroquois Confederacy, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” With this in mind, our choices in cleaning products take on a whole new meaning. No act is too small.